Data distribution

Abstract

A data distribution system is presented. A remote server, such as a Hub Server is connected to a local distribution sub-system including a local server, such as a Head End Server. Data is transmitted from a component of the local distribution sub-system, such as a Local Control Unit to the local server and the data is transmitted from the local server to the remote server.

1 . An audio/visual content distribution system, comprising:
 a local distribution sub-system comprising:   a digital network;   a plurality of receivers, each of which comprises:   an audio/visual display; and   a local control unit to which the audio/visual display is connected, the local control unit comprising:   a main network port having an IP address by which the audio/visual display can be connected to the digital network to receive audio/visual content;   a guest port by which a laptop computer can be connected to the digital network to communicate with the Internet; and   a head-end server adapted to manage distribution of audio/visual content data to the plurality of receivers, the head-end server being connected to the plurality of receivers by the digital network and comprising:   a gateway server for providing a connection between the digital network and the Internet;   at least one data storage device for storing audio/visual content;   a media manager application configured to:   provide a menu for each receiver of stored audio/visual content available for distribution within the local distribution sub-system;   receive requests from the receivers for audio/visual content; and   send requested audio/visual content to the receivers over the digital network in response to requests;   wherein the system is configured to route audio/visual content data and Internet data from the head end server via the digital network to the local control units, and to direct audio/visual content data to the main network port of a respective local control unit, and Internet data to one of the main network port and the guest port of the respective local control unit.   
     
     
         2 . An audio/visual content distribution system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the head end server is configured to provide an IP address for the guest port of each local control unit, and an IP address to assign to a laptop computer connected to the guest port. 
     
     
         3 . An audio/visual content distribution system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the laptop computer connected to the guest port has a DHCP client, and the local control unit is configured to:
 provide a netmask which describes the IP address for the guest port and the IP address to assign to the laptop computer as being on a same subnet while providing differentiation from the IP address of the main network port of the respective local control unit; and   provide to the laptop computer, in response to a request for a DHCP server broadcast by the laptop to the guest port, the assigned IP address, a DNS server setting, and identification of the local control unit as the default gateway.   
     
     
         4 . An audio/visual content distribution system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the main network port and the guest port of each local control unit is an Ethernet port. 
     
     
         5 . An audio/visual content distribution system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each receiver further comprises a separate remote control device adapted to control the audio/visual display; and wherein a respective local control unit is configured to receive signal inputs from the separate remote control device. 
     
     
         6 . An audio/visual content distribution system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the main network port of each local control unit is configured to provide an Internet connection for the audio/visual display. 
     
     
         7 . An audio/visual content distribution system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the local distribution sub-system is configured to provide audio/visual content to rooms in a hotel; and wherein the head-end server is located in the hotel and the audio/visual display of each of the plurality of receivers comprises a television located in a respective room in the hotel. 
     
     
         8 . An audio/visual content distribution system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the receiver is configured to receive instructions from a user via at least one of the local control unit and the television, and the head-end server is configured to record the instructions. 
     
     
         9 . An audio/visual content distribution system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a firewall configured to connect the local distribution sub-system to the Internet, wherein the gateway server is configured to:
 control and monitor connections between a laptop computer connected to a local control unit and the firewall;   ensure that data packages are routed securely to respective inbound and outbound destinations;   manage Internet connection sessions;   monitor Internet data traffic flows; and   collect statistics relating to Internet usage.   
     
     
         10 . A method of distributing audio/visual content distribution, comprising:
 providing a local distribution sub-system comprising:   a digital network;   a plurality of receivers, each of which comprises:   an audio/visual display; and   a local control unit to which the audio/visual display is connected, the local control unit comprising:   a main network port having an IP address by which the audio/visual display can be connected to the digital network to receive audio/visual content;   a guest port by which a laptop computer can be connected to the digital network to communicate with the Internet; and   a head-end server adapted to manage distribution of audio/visual content data to the plurality of receivers, the head-end server being connected to the plurality of receivers by the digital network and comprising:   a gateway server for providing a connection between the digital network and the Internet;   at least one data storage device for storing audio/visual content;   a media manager application configured to:   provide a menu for each receiver of stored audio/visual content available for distribution within the local distribution sub-system;   receive requests from the receivers for audio/visual content; and   send requested audio/visual content to the receivers over the digital network in response to requests;   routing audio/visual content data and Internet data from the head end server via the digital network to the local control units; and   directing audio/visual content data to the main network port of a respective local control unit, and Internet data to one of the main network port and the guest port of the respective local control unit.   
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising providing, by means of the head end server, an IP address for the guest port of each local control unit and an IP address to assign to a laptop computer connected to the guest port. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 connecting the laptop computer connected to the guest port, the laptop computer having a DHCP client;   providing, by means of the local control unit, a netmask which describes the IP address for the guest port and the IP address to assign to the laptop computer as being on a same subnet while providing differentiation from the IP address of the main network port of the respective local control unit; and   providing from the local control unit to the laptop computer, in response to a request for a DHCP server broadcast by the laptop to the guest port, the assigned IP address, a DNS server setting, and identification of the local control unit as the default gateway.   
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising converting digital audio/visual content data to analog data in the local control unit before passing the analog data to the display. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 routing data from a laptop computer connected to the guest port from the local control unit to the gateway server; and   routing data destined for the laptop computer through the guest port of the local control unit.   
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising using the local control unit for access to Internet services via the display device. 
     
     
         16 . An audio/visual content distribution system, comprising:
 a local distribution sub-system comprising:   a digital network;   a plurality of receivers, each of which comprises:   an audio/visual display; and   a local control unit to which the audio/visual display is connected, the local control unit comprising:   a main network port having an TP address by which the audio/visual display can be connected to the digital network to receive audio/visual content;   a guest port by which a laptop computer can be connected to the digital network to communicate with the Internet; and   a head-end server adapted to manage distribution of audio/visual content data to the plurality of receivers, the head-end server being connected to the plurality of receivers by the digital network and comprising:   a gateway server for providing a connection between the digital network and the Internet;   at least one data storage device for storing audio/visual content;   a media manager application configured to:   provide a menu for each receiver of stored audio/visual content available for distribution within the local distribution sub-system;   receive requests from the receivers for audio/visual content; and   send requested audio/visual content to the receivers over the digital network in response to requests;   wherein the system is configured to:   route audio/visual content data and Internet data from the head end server via the digital network to the local control units;   direct audio/visual content data to the main network port of a respective local control unit, and Internet data to one of the main network port and the guest port of the respective local control unit; and   provide an IP address for the guest port of each local control unit, and an P address to assign to a laptop computer connected to the guest port;   and wherein, when a laptop computer connected to the guest port has a DHCP client, the local control unit is configured to:   provide a netmask which describes the IP address for the guest port and the IP address to assign to the laptop computer as being on a same subnet while providing differentiation from the IP address of the main network port of the respective local control unit; and   provide to the laptop computer, in response to a request for a DHCP server broadcast by the laptop to the guest port, the assigned IP address, a DNS server setting, and identification of the local control unit as the default gateway.   
     
     
         17 . An audio/visual content distribution system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein each receiver further comprises a separate remote control device adapted to control the audio/visual display; and wherein a respective local control unit is configured to receive signal inputs from the separate remote control device. 
     
     
         18 . An audio/visual content distribution system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the main network port of each local control unit is configured to provide an Internet connection for the audio/visual display. 
     
     
         19 . An audio/visual content distribution system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein:
 the local distribution sub-system is configured to provide audio/visual content to rooms in a hotel;   the head-end server is located in the hotel and the audio/visual display of each of the plurality of receivers comprises a television located in a respective room in the hotel; and   the receiver is configured to receive instructions from a user via at least one of the local control unit and the television, and the head-end server is configured to record the instructions.   
     
     
         20 . An audio/visual content distribution system as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising a firewall configured to connect the local distribution sub-system to the Internet, wherein the gateway server is configured to:
 control and monitor connections between a laptop computer connected to a local control unit and the firewall;   ensure that data packages are routed securely to respective inbound and outbound destinations;   manage Internet connection sessions;   monitor Internet data traffic flows; and   collect statistics relating to Internet usage.